Jessica Park in her studio. [Photo by Jessica Bonzek]

NORTH ADAMS — The works and life of one of the Berkshires' own renowned artists will be the subject of MCLA Gallery 51's newest exhibit, which opens tonight.

"The Art and Life of Jessica Park" — the product of a five-year association between Park and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts — will feature more than 40 pieces of Park's work, including sketches and paintings, alongside photographs of the artist throughout her life.

A show meant to both highlight Park's tremendous talent while also chronicling the life of the self-taught artist, "The Art and Life of Jessica Park" is a traveling show whose first stop is the Main Street gallery.

Organized by students from the advanced museum studies class at MCLA, under the direction of fine and performing arts department Chairman Tony Gengarelly, the exhibition's opening reception will also act as the official launch of MCLA' first major student-produced publication.

"Exploring Nirvana: The Art of Jessica Park" celebrates Park's life and art and is a "visual account" of her lifelong struggle with autism.

"Our museum studies classes have been doing exhibitions all along, but the book project is a new addition we hope to continue. It involves yet another process of bringing the work of an artist to the attention of the public," Gengarelly said about the book in a statement.

The result of a four-year exploration of Park, of Williamstown, and her work, "Exploring Nirvana" boasts dozens of essays by art and autism professionals, as well as 26 entries from MCLA students. Columbia University professor Oliver Sacks, whom the New York Times called the "poet laureate of medicine," wrote the foreword.

"'Exploring Nirvana' ... is an important and comprehensive chronicle that elegantly enlightens us about the life and work of an extraordinary woman and important contemporary artist," said Pamela Rogers, director of the Shield Institute Pure Vision Arts studio, which sponsored the book's creation. The studio also represents Park.

The idea for the book came in 2004, after an exhibition of Park's work drew hundreds of visitors to their 94 Porter Street Gallery.

"We wanted to create a catalog for her work," explained Gengarelly, as he helped hang the show at Gallery 51 on Tuesday morning.

That first show was the catalyst for the Jessica Park Project, a multiyear educational endeavor meant to study and promote Park's Art. "Exploring Nirvana," a 96-page book with 86 full-color illustrations of Park's art, was created from a course called "Topics in Art Management: Art Book" in 2004 in which the focus was autism and Park's art.

Nine students from the first exhibition and 10 new to Park and her art developed 18 entries that served as the basis for the book. A second course, "Art Book II," generated eight more entries, developed a book layout and raised money to support the publication.

"Exploring Nirvana" will be on sale beginning tonight for $19.95, exclusively at Gallery 51.

"This show is a way to celebrate Jessy's work, showcase the book and it's also a chance for the college to celebrate the students' achievement," said Gengarelly.

Jessica Hillary Park was born on July 20, 1958 in Williamstown. Diagnosed autistic, Park creates paintings primarily from sketches. She attended Mount Greylock Regional High School and works at Williams College as a mail clerk. In 2003, she was awarded an honorary degree from MCLA. She is also the subject of two books written by her mother, Clara Claiborne Park, called "The Siege" and "Exiting Nirvana."

The reception for "The Art and Life of Jessica Park" is Wednesday, May 28. from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gallery 51, 51 Main St.